# Places to order at the counter with kids in New York

Restaurants and cafés in New York where you order at the counter. 30 listed.

Last updated 2026-10-19, from the newest confirmation among these places.

## The list

1. [Ellen's Stardust Diner](https://ourplayday.com/places/ellen-s-stardust-diner-new-york) (restaurant, New York). The waiters sing Broadway songs between orders, and your kid will stop eating to watch. Has: order at the counter.
2. [Mercado Little Spain](https://ourplayday.com/places/mercado-little-spain-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Spanish food hall of counters where kids can graze on empanadas and small plates, with churros and chocolate to finish. Has: order at the counter.
3. [Hamburger America](https://ourplayday.com/places/hamburger-america-new-york) (restaurant, New York). A classic lunch counter where kids can sit up front and watch the burgers cook on the griddle. Has: order at the counter.
4. [Harlem Shake](https://ourplayday.com/places/harlem-shake-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Burgers and milkshakes in a room that looks straight out of a 1950s diner. Has: order at the counter.
5. [Essex Market](https://ourplayday.com/places/essex-market-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Indoor market of food stalls where everyone picks their own meal. Has: order at the counter.
6. [Katz's Delicatessen](https://ourplayday.com/places/katz-s-delicatessen-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Historic deli where one corned beef or pastrami sandwich, ordered at the counter, is big enough to share around the table. Has: order at the counter.
7. [Rebecca's Cake Pops Essex Market](https://ourplayday.com/places/rebecca-s-cake-pops-essex-market-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Counter of bright cake pops inside the market. Has: order at the counter.
8. [Shopsin's](https://ourplayday.com/places/shopsin-s-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Tiny spot known for its pancakes, with a menu of kids' meals. Has: order at the counter.
9. [Smashburger Lexington Avenue](https://ourplayday.com/places/smashburger-lexington-avenue-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Smashed burgers, shakes and kids' meals at a quick counter. Has: order at the counter.
10. [Smashburger Penn Station](https://ourplayday.com/places/smashburger-penn-station-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Burger counter for smashed patties, shakes and kids' meals, by the trains. Has: order at the counter.
11. [Superiority Burger](https://ourplayday.com/places/superiority-burger-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Vegetarian diner with fries, desserts and walls covered in things to look at. Has: order at the counter.
12. [Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Upper West Side](https://ourplayday.com/places/van-leeuwen-ice-cream-upper-west-side-new-york) (ice cream shop, New York). Ice cream shop with vegan flavors, sundaes, milkshakes and cookies. Has: order at the counter.
13. [Carnitas Ramirez](https://ourplayday.com/places/carnitas-ramirez-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Taco counter built around pork, with a different cut in each taco. Has: order at the counter.
14. [Figo il Gelato Little Italy](https://ourplayday.com/places/figo-il-gelato-little-italy-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Italian gelato in a cone, a cup, or tucked into a warm brioche bun. Has: order at the counter.
15. [Gray's Papaya](https://ourplayday.com/places/gray-s-papaya-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Hot dog counter with papaya and other fruit drinks. Has: order at the counter.
16. [Levain Bakery West 74th Street](https://ourplayday.com/places/levain-bakery-west-74th-street-new-york) (bakery, New York). Huge gooey cookies, soft as brownies in the middle and big enough to split between two kids. Has: order at the counter.
17. [Magnolia Bakery Bloomingdale's](https://ourplayday.com/places/magnolia-bakery-bloomingdale-s-new-york) (bakery, New York). Cupcakes and banana pudding inside the department store. Has: order at the counter.
18. [Make My Cake West Harlem](https://ourplayday.com/places/make-my-cake-west-harlem-new-york) (bakery, New York). Family-run bakery with Southern-style cakes, sweet potato pie and counter treats sized for kids. Has: order at the counter.
19. [Mochi Dolci](https://ourplayday.com/places/mochi-dolci-new-york) (bakery, New York). Mochi doughnuts and bubble tea near the museums. Has: order at the counter.
20. [Murray's Cheese Bleecker Street](https://ourplayday.com/places/murray-s-cheese-bleecker-street-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Cheese shop with prepared food for a snack or a picnic. Has: order at the counter.
21. [Russ & Daughters Houston Street](https://ourplayday.com/places/russ-daughters-houston-street-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Appetizing shop for bagels, smoked fish and sweets to take out. Has: order at the counter.
22. [Schmackary's Hell's Kitchen](https://ourplayday.com/places/schmackary-s-hell-s-kitchen-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Cookie shop with inventive flavors, a short walk from the theaters. Has: order at the counter.
23. [Schnipper's Times Square](https://ourplayday.com/places/schnipper-s-times-square-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Counter-service spot for burgers, chicken and comfort food. Has: order at the counter.
24. [Shake Shack Madison Square Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/shake-shack-madison-square-park-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Burger stand with shakes and outdoor tables, a few steps from the playgrounds. Has: order at the counter.
25. [The Little Beet Midtown West](https://ourplayday.com/places/the-little-beet-midtown-west-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Vegetable-heavy bowls for a quick meal near the theaters. Has: order at the counter.
26. [The Pickle Guys](https://ourplayday.com/places/the-pickle-guys-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Pickles sold straight out of barrels, so kids get to point at the exact one they want, with pickled pineapple for the adventurous. Has: order at the counter.
27. [Time Out Market Union Square](https://ourplayday.com/places/time-out-market-union-square-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Food hall with pizza, sandwiches and more from several kitchens. Has: order at the counter.
28. [Vanderbilt Market](https://ourplayday.com/places/vanderbilt-market-new-york) (restaurant, New York). Food hall of counters beside Grand Central, where everyone picks their own. Has: order at the counter.
29. [Veniero's Pastry Shop](https://ourplayday.com/places/veniero-s-pastry-shop-new-york) (bakery, New York). Classic Italian pastry shop with a cafe, where kids go for the rainbow cookies and pignoli. Has: order at the counter.
30. [Zabar's](https://ourplayday.com/places/zabar-s-new-york) (bakery, New York). Food store of deli counters and bakery goods, for a picnic on the way to the museum. Has: order at the counter.

## Other lists for New York

- [High chairs](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-high-chairs) (7)
- [Changing tables](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-changing-tables) (4)
- [Kids' menu](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-kids-menu) (29)
- [Wheelchair accessible](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/wheelchair-accessible) (22)
- [Cribs](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-cribs) (58)
- [Pool](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-a-pool) (10)
- [Free breakfast](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-free-breakfast) (11)
- [Connecting rooms](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-connecting-rooms) (34)
- [Fridge in the room](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-a-fridge) (60)
- [Separate bedroom](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-a-separate-bedroom) (63)
- [Restrooms](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-restrooms) (115)
- [Free](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/free-to-visit) (234)
- [Shade](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-shade) (12)
- [Water play](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/with-water-play) (114)

## About this list

Every place here is a listing on Play Day, and a place is listed only when something positive is known about it for kids. Each listing carries the kid facts (high chairs, changing tables, kids' menus, wheelchair access) A list needs at least three places to exist.

Page: https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york/order-at-the-counter. All of New York: https://ourplayday.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york